Children and Natural Disasters
By Brett, Village School Parent
As a faculty member in the Child Studies Program at Santa Clara University, I strive to make connections between practice and theory so that my students will be effective stewards of children. Similarly, as a parent, I want to be equipped with the appropriate responses to my children when we’re confronted with “a situation” near or far.
The devastation of North Bay fires, Hurricane(s) Harvey, Irma and Maria, combined with the images of children being pulled from the rubble of a collapsed elementary school after the earthquake in Mexico City, is unfathomable for most of us. Many within the Village community, however, have family, friends and co-workers who have been detrimentally impacted by these recent natural disasters.
Even when they are far away in distance, such calamities may provoke a sense of vulnerability, and we may want resources for coping, protection, preparation, and sharing. It’s important to filter these events through a child’s lens, and I wish to offer the following relevant information as it pertains to supporting children:
How do these events affect children?
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Child Development (journal) opened a special section on disasters and their impacts on child development
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“The Impact of Terrorism and Disasters on Children” has been put together by the American Psychological Association.
What resources can we provide to families who are impacted by natural disasters?
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The “Coping with Disasters” page of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) website offers a thorough compilation of resources for children, families, teachers, organizations, and other professionals who work with children.
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The Centers for Disease Control provides a resource page for families called “Coping with Disasters or Traumatic Events”
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The Extension Disaster Education Network is dedicated to education, preparation and response to natural and premeditated disasters for families. Start with the “Children and Disasters” page.
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The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry just updated their “Disaster Resource Center” page.
Wishing our local and extended Village community well as we support our children in navigating their way through life.